Snap-in floating hinge cap for portable computer

ABSTRACT

A hinge includes a hinge portion having a pair of external opposed grooves and a first locking portion. A hinge cap is removably attached to the hinge portion by a pair of external deflecting arms received by the opposed grooves and a second locking portion received by the first locking portion. In response to mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seats in and defines a gap with a cover plate on the first member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is a divisional of co-ownedco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/899,915, filed Jul. 27,2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The description herein relates generally to portable computers, and moreparticularly to portable computer hinge caps.

Portable laptop or notebook computers include a base and a top which ispivotally connected to the base at a hinged connection. When the top israised, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panelmounted therein is exposed. The top of a portable computer is typicallyconnected to the base by a hinge on one edge and by at least one latchlocated on at least one other edge. When unlatched, the top is rotatedopen thus exposing a keyboard on the base and the LCD panel mounted inthe top. The latch which secures the base and top is typically mountedalong an edge of the top.

Some hinge assemblies have been provided with clutch mechanisms. Suchclutch mechanisms can include a friction component and a torsion springcomponent. The spring counteracts the weight of the display housing whenthe display housing is open, such that the friction component need onlybe strong enough to support the open display housing during times whenthe computer is subjected to vibration or the like.

The clutch assemblies may be covered with hinge caps which are oftenused when a chassis has clutch assemblies that reside in the far endcorners of the chassis and are positioned adjacent the LCD display. Onedisadvantage of current hinge caps is that they are separate parts whichoften become loose resulting in movement and noise when the top portionis rotated open or closed. In some cases, the hinge caps can fall off orbreak off. There may also be alignment issues with mating partsresulting in fit and finish problems.

Some hinge caps are glued or heat staked into the chassis or the clutch.The glue may not adhere to mating metal parts due to machine oil orinternal lubrication contamination. Heat stakes may break off or falloff if they become loose.

Accordingly, what is needed is a hinge cap solution which is free of thedisadvantages described above.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, accordingly, there is disclosed a hingeinterconnecting a first member and a second member. The hinge includes ahinge portion having a pair of external opposed grooves and a firstlocking portion. A hinge cap is removably attached to the hinge portionby a pair of external deflecting arms received by the opposed groovesand a second locking portion received by the first locking portion. Inresponse to mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seatsin and defines a gap with a cover plate on the first member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information handlingsystem (“IHS”).

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are perspective views of an embodiment of a portableinformation handling system.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion ofa portable information handling system.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portableinformation handling system.

FIGS. 4 b, 4 c and 4 d are perspective views of an embodiment of aportion of a portable information handling system.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are perspective views of an embodiment of a top paneland hinges of a portable information handling system.

FIGS. 5 c, 5 d and 6 are perspective views of an embodiment of a portionof a top panel and a hinge of a portable information handling system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge suitable foruse with a portable information handling system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge cover suitablefor use with a portable information handling system.

FIGS. 9 a, 9 b and 9 c are perspective views of an embodiment of a hingeassembly suitable for use with a portable information handling system.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment ofmating surfaces of a hinge cap and a chassis cover plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system (“IHS”)includes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, or other purposes. Example of an IHS include,personal computer (“PC”), a network storage device, personal digitalassistant, or any other suitable device with variations in size, shape,performance, functionality, and price. An IHS also includes othercomponents such as, random access memory (“RAM”), one or more processingresources (e.g., central processing unit (“CPU”), hardware or softwarecontrol logic, read only memory (“ROM”), other types of memory, one ormore disk drives, one or more network interfaces, one or moreinput/output devices and/or one or more buses.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an IHS indicated generally at 100,according to one embodiment. IHS 100 includes processor 105 (e.g., anIntel Pentium series processor). Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset110 provides IHS 100 with graphics/memory controller hub functions andI/O functions. More specifically, IHA chipset 110 acts as a hostcontroller which communicates with integrated video controller 125coupled thereto. Display device 130 is coupled to the integrated videocontroller 125 (e.g., on-board video controller). Although displaydevice 130 is coupled to integrated video controller 125 as shown inFIG. 1, display device 130 is also capable of being coupled instead toadd-in video controller 135. Add-in video controller 135 may be anadvanced graphics port (“AGP”) video controller, or alternatively, anyother suitable video controller such as Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (“PCI”) video controller or PCI Express video controller.Add-in video controller 135 includes a video connection interface suchas a digital video connection interface (e.g., a Digital VisualInterface (“DVI”)) or an analog video interface in this particularembodiment.

Chipset 110 further acts as a controller for main memory 115 which iscoupled thereto. Chipset 110 also acts as an input/output (“I/O”)controller hub (ICH) which performs I/O functions. General purposeinput/output (“GPIO”) 160 is coupled to chipset 110 via GPIO controller165. USB controller 170 is coupled to chipset 110 so that devices suchas USB devices 175 can be connected to chipset 110 and processor 105.USB devices 175 include, for example, floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives,DVD-ROM drives and other devices which support the USB standard. Systembasic input-output system (“BIOS”) 140 is coupled to chipset 110, asshown. BIOS 140 is stored in CMOS or FLASH memory so that it isnonvolatile.

Local area network (LAN) controller 145, alternatively called a networkinterface controller (NIC), is coupled to chipset 110 to facilitateconnection of IHS 100 to other information handling systems. Mediadriver controller 150 is coupled to chipset 110 so that devices such asmedia drives 155 can be connected to chipset 110 and processor 105.Examples of media drives 155 capable of being coupled to the mediacontroller 150 include CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, hard disk drives andother fixed or removable media drives. Expansion bus 120, such as a PCIbus, PCI Express bus, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) busor other bus is coupled to the chipset 110 as shown. Expansion bus 120includes one or more expansion slots 122 for receiving expansion cardswhich provide IHS 100 with additional functionality. IHS 100 alsoincludes speaker (e.g., loudspeaker) 138 for outputting audio signals.Speaker 138 is coupled to chipset 110.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, and 3 b, IHS 100is a portable IHS 200. Portable IHS 200 includes a top panel 204hingedly connected to a chassis 206 by a pair of hinges 208. Because thehinges 208 are similar, only one will be described in detail. Chassis206 includes a latch 210 to secure top panel 204 to chassis 206 in aclosed position. Chassis 206 also includes a keyboard 212, a mousepad214, a chassis cover plate portion 216, which may include a palmrestportion adjacent the keyboard 212, and a hinge cover 218. Top panel 204has an LCD display 230 mounted therein.

A hinge cap 222 is provided for each hinge 208 adjacent chassis coverplate portion 216. The hinge cap 222 provides an aesthetic appearance tochassis 206.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d, portable IHS 200 isillustrated with hinge cover 218 removed. Top panel 204 is connected tochassis 206 by hinges 208. A clutch assembly 220 is rotatably connectedto each hinge 208. Clutch assembly 220 is connected to top panel 204with screws (not shown) covered by a screw cover 232, and hinges 208 areconnected to chassis 206, for example with a screw. Clutch assembly 220rotates within each hinge 208 to allow top panel 204 to move from anopen to a closed position, and vice versa.

A portion of each hinge 208 is within chassis 206, and is covered by ahinge cap 222. With hinge cover 218 removed, a portion of a circuitboard 240 is visible.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, top panel 204 and hinges 208are illustrated after having been removed from chassis 206. Each clutchassembly 220 is rigidly connected to top panel 204 by screw 234. Eachclutch assembly 220 is rotatably connected to each hinge 208,respectively. Each hinge cap 222 is releasably connected to each hinge208 respectively. Top panel 204 is provided with positioning pins 236,which are received within corresponding holes of clutch assembly 220.

Referring now to FIG. 6, top panel 204 and hinge 208 of a portable IHSare illustrated. Each hinge 208 includes a top portion 310, a middleportion 312, and a post portion 314. In one embodiment, top portion 310may be hingedly connected to top panel 204, for example with a clutchassembly. Middle portion 312 includes a pair of opposed grooves 316,each having a protrusion 318, and a female connector 320.

Hinge cap 222 is releasably attached to middle portion 312. Hinge cap222 includes a cosmetic top portion 324 and a bottom portion 326. Bottomportion 326 includes a pair of deflectable arm portions 328 which arereceived within groove 316 of middle portion 312. Each deflectable armportion 328 includes a male connector (not shown) which can slidethrough groove 316 and over protrusion 318 by bending deflectable armportion 328, and then be received by female connector 320. To releasehinge cap 222 from hinge 208, deflectable arm portion 328 can be bentoutwards to disengage the male connector from female connector 320, andthen can slide out of groove 316.

Referring now to FIG. 7, hinge 208 is illustrated. Hinge 208 includestop portion 310, middle portion 312, and post portion 314. Top portion310 includes a cylindrical opening 421, adapted to receive an axle, forexample a clutch assembly, to connect top portion 310 to a portable IHSchassis or top panel. Middle portion 312 includes opposed grooves 316.Grooves 316 each include protrusion 318 and female connector 320,adapted to receive a male connector. Post portion 314 includesconnectors 419, adapted to connect to a portable IHS chassis or toppanel.

Referring now to FIG. 8, hinge cap 222 is illustrated. Hinge cap 222includes cosmetic top portion 324 and bottom portion 326. Bottom portion326 includes deflectable arm portions 328, having a pair of maleconnectors 530, respectively. Arm portions 328 are adapted to bereceived within grooves 316, and male connectors 530 are adapted to bereceived within female connectors 320, as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c, hinge assembly 600 isillustrated. Hinge assembly 600 includes hinge 208, hinge cap 222, andclutch assembly 220.

Hinge 208 includes top portion 310, middle portion 312, and post portion314. Top portion 310 includes cylindrical opening 421. Middle portion312 includes grooves 316. Grooves 316 include protrusions 318 and femaleconnectors 320. Post portion 314 includes connectors 419, adapted toconnect to a portable IHS chassis or top panel.

Hinge cap 222 includes cosmetic top portion 324 and bottom portion 326.Bottom portion 326 includes deflectable arm portions 328. Deflectablearm portions 328 are adapted to be received within grooves 316,respectively. Deflectable arm portions 328 include male connectors 530,adapted to be received by female connectors 320, respectively.

Clutch assembly 220 includes screw holes 642 and positioning pin holes644, adapted to connect clutch assembly 220 to a portable IHS chassis ortop panel. Clutch assembly 220 also includes shaft 646 received withincylindrical opening 421. Shaft 646 rotates within cylindrical opening421 to allow clutch assembly 220 to rotate relative to hinge 208.

To engage hinge cap 222 with hinge 208, hinge cap 222 is moved in thedirection of arrow 660 while deflectable arm portions 328 are receivedwithin grooves 316. Hinge cap 222 is moved until male connectors 530 ofdeflectable arm portions 328 move over protrusions 318, and snap intoand engage female connectors 320, respectively. The result is a slidingand snap-in engagement of hinge cap 222 and hinge 208. Although thehinge cap 222 is snapped into engagement with hinge 208, the hinge cap222 is in a loose or floating engagement with the hinge 208. Acombination of features on the hinge cap 222 and on the chassis coverplate 216 can provide the X, Y and Z location of the hinge cap 222relative to the chassis cover plate 216. For example, when the hinge 208is mounted in the chassis 206, at least three sides of the hinge cap 222engage the chassis cover plate 216, as is best shown in FIGS. 4 b and 4d. An angled surface 222 a, FIG. 10, is provided on a portion of thehinge cap 222 which seats in engagement with a mating angled surface 216a provided on the chassis cover plate 216. It is this mating engagementwhich determines the X, Y and Z location of the hinge cap 222 relativeto the chassis cover plate 216. Another example could include a keyedmember provided on one of the hinge cap 222 and the cover plate 216,combined with a keyway on the other mating member. Thus, the location ofthe hinge cap 222, relative to the chassis cover plate 216, isdetermined by the chassis cover plate 216 and not the hinge 208. Thisprovides an aesthetically even gap G, see also FIG. 4 b, between thehinge cap 222 and the chassis cover plate 216.

To disengage hinge cap 222 from hinge 208, deflectable arm portions 328are bent outwardly to disengage male connectors 530 from femaleconnectors 320. Hinge cap 222 is then moved in a sliding manner in thedirection opposite of arrow 660, until deflectable arm portions 328 areno longer received within grooves 316.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstructed broadly and in manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

1. A hinge assembly comprising: a hinge movably interconnecting a firstmember with a second member; the hinge including a hinge portion havinga pair of external opposed grooves and a first locking portion; a hingecap removably attached to the hinge portion by means of a pair ofexternal deflecting arms received by the opposed grooves and a secondlocking portion received by the first locking portion; and in responseto mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seating in anddefining a gap with a cover plate on the first member.
 2. The hingeassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of the hingesinterconnecting the first and second members.
 3. The hinge assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising: a display included in the second member. 4.The hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an input included inthe first member.
 5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a latch for releasably securing the first and second members.
 6. Thehinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a portable power sourceincluded in the first member.
 7. The hinge assembly of claim 1 whereinthe first member is a chassis for an information handling system (IHS).8. The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein the second member is a toppanel for the chassis.